Thursday, November 2, 2023

           We often read about people wanting to make a statement.  Some athletes and teams speak about a “statement win.”  People often protest to make a statement.  Politicians, business leaders and entertainers often release statements about different matters.  Publicly traded companies often issue statements in advance of earnings reports or potentially controversial news coverage.  In his own words, Peter offered some wise counsel about how to make a decisive statement.  Interestingly, he wrote about a statement that we can make without ever using words.  He described it this way, “For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people” (1 Peter 2:15). 
            Peter wrote under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  He gives us not just his opinion or even popular opinion.  He gives us God’s counsel.  A few lessons stand out for us to see.  First, he said “it is God’s will.”  Most people would agree that if it is God’s will for something to happen then it is worth our time to pay attention.  Scripture is filled with truths and realities that God desires to see in His people.  “Thus says the Lord” carries some serious weight.  We do not want to assert casually or flippantly that something is God’s will.  We take that reality quite seriously.  And Peter did too.  To declare that something is God’s will means that we would do well to pay attention and to apply what follows.
            Second, Peter directed us to do good.  Goodness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  There is always a place for goodness in life.  And, most people would conclude, there is never an overabundance or overstocked inventory of goodness in the world.  There is always room for more goodness.  We can speak and act in good ways.  We can encourage others to do likewise.  We can act and behave as Jesus would if He were in the same situations.  In his first letter to Timothy, Paul wrote, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:18).  Doing good requires some effort and energy.  We have to choose to do this.  Goodness attracts the attention of others.  Unfortunately, goodness is not always our default mode; it is not the way we naturally seek to make a statement.  But doing what is good is a statement. 
            Third, doing good can “silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.”  One way to respond to ignorance, foolishness and destructive behavior is simply electing to do what is good.  We do not have to stoop into the muck, mire and mud that others may occupy and even seemingly enjoy.  We can rise above such things by doing what is good.  The best counter to a lie is the truth.  The best counter to duplicity is honesty.  The best counter to sin is righteousness.  And Peter says that the best counter to ignorance and foolishness is goodness. 
            Fourth, choosing to do good can protect us from even taking the bait of others who might be trying to goad or prod us into certain kinds of behavior.  When we do what is good, we refuse to allow ourselves to be triangulated into unhealthy and even sinful behavior in which others engage.  Goodness becomes a boundary that keeps us from crossing into something harmful and hurtful.  Paul commanded Titus, “In everything, set them an example by doing what is good” (Titus 2:7a).  Goodness is statement living.  And goodness makes a godly statement that calls more attention to the Lord and less attention to us.  The mission for believers is always to bring glory to God above glory to ourselves.  Jesus said to the Church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:2, “I know your deeds.”  The Lord knew what they had been doing and how they had been living.  And He sees the good that we do today.
            Peter helped us to see what statement living looks like by developing the idea of doing good just a little further in his letter.  He shows us what doing good looks like in a practical sense.  We read, “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.  Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God” (1 Peter 2:16-19).  Goodness can be practiced in every direction—in the workplace, in the home, in the church, in the public, in the community and even in the midst of terrible circumstances or battles.  There is never a reason to choose anything besides goodness or to table goodness in favor of something else or something different.
            Statement-level goodness can make a godly difference and transform sinful or in- hospitable situations.  The youth of ancient Athens would often take a pledge to leave behind a city and circumstances that were better than what they had been given or found.  Their ancient pledge read, in part, “We will strive unceasingly to quicken the public’s sense of civic duty, that thus, in all these ways, we will transmit this city not only not less, but greater, better, and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.”  God’s people can make a similar pledge or statement—to leave behind a trail of goodness that leads to God and leaves behind a better place, home, church or community.  If you find yourself wanting to make a statement with your anger or desiring to do something dramatic, pause for a moment and think about what you are contemplating and why.  Will God be glorified by your statement?  Will the cause of Christ be advanced by your statement?  Will evil be defeated by your statement or encouraged by it?  Have a great Thursday!  Remember you can worship any time at YouTube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.